Hakayet is a community storytelling evening presented by Bankstown Poetry Slam.

Drawing upon the oral traditions of the many different cultures that inhabit the Bankstown region, we invite you to listen to and share the stories that define us and inspire us. Featuring poet and storyteller Roje Ndayambaje, this month's theme will be 'Stories of Survival'. We will be serving sweets and tea as we indulge in the stories of the evening. To cover costs, we will be charging a nominal fee of $5 at the door. Children under 12 are free to enter.

If you would like to share a story, please note:

▪️7 min time limit ▪️The theme is "Stories of Survival" so you can tell a story about anything from doing a lemon juice diet to escaping a war zone ▪️Your story must be written by you and must be a true story (embellishment is permitted)▪️This is not a poetry slam. There will be no judges and your story does not need to be 'poetic'

To sign up to tell your story, arrive at 6:45 pm for an 7:00pm start. Please prepare your stories with the theme and a 7 min time limit in mind.

Flip the Script is a safe space for under 26 year olds to showcase whatever they want under the guidance of an expert storyteller and performer :)

We want our youth to "flip the script" and share their many talents, challenge stereotypes, address issues and action change. There is no limit to what you can perform: Poetry, music, stories, magic. We'll give you a stage and a mic and you can choose how to use it.

How is an open mic different to a poetry slam?With open mic's, there are no strict time limits (but don't take 5eva on stage) and no judging involved. Flip The Script is a space for you to perform whatever you want to, without any rules.

What is the age limit? Performers must be under the age of 26 to sign up, but we welcome everyone of all ages to watch and support our performers.

BPS is back for another month of slamming, finger clicking, watermelon flowing poetry fun! Please book your free ticket via this link regardless of whether you are coming to perform or just spectate: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/june-bankstown-poetry-slam-ft-maddie-godfrey-and-andrew-cox-tickets-46871928199

This month we are so excited to be featuring seasoned BPS wordsmith Andrew Cox and Maddie Godfrey - both of whom are so talented for their offensively young ages. Their bios and rules for the slammers are below.

Bio of Maddie Godfrey:

Maddie Godfrey is an Australian-bred performance poet, writer, theatre maker and spoken word educator. At age 21 she has been internationally published and has performed at prestigious venues such as The Sydney Opera House (Aus), The Royal Albert Hall (UK), The Bowery Poetry Club (New York) and Glastonbury Festival. In July 2017 she completed a residency at St Paul’s Cathedral in London. Her first full length publication will be released with Burning Eye Books THIS MONTH!

Bio of Andrew Cox:

Hailing from the Central Coast, Andrew Cox is a storyteller at heart and poetic in expression. He uses counter-cultural thoughts to challenge mindsets and worldviews. With an aim to leave audiences thinking, he is a modern paradox - contrasting with social norms by being a voice of hope amidst a negatively outspoken world. From poetic wordplay to simple imagery, Andrew communicates with an understanding of the power behind words, and the impact that fresh perspectives can bring to the world around us.

For the awesome slammers who wish to sign up, please read the rules:

3 minutes to perform your piece

No props or music

Poetry must be your original work

5 Randomly selected members of the crowd will judge the performances.

No age restrictions

Semi- awesome prizes!...

Top scoring poets will have a spot in this year's Grand Slam.

Don't forget, Flip the Script, Western Sydney's first and only regular youth open mic is on the day before so if you want to try out new material, come through!

Poetry aficionado's, appreciators of Hip-Hop and literature that beats with a thunderous heart - you absolutely do not want to miss this!

and its FREE for all but please bring a gold coin donation and support us because we're poor :)

If anyone has any questions please feel free to ask away or email info@bankstownpoetryslam.com

We want our youth to "flip the script" and share their many talents, challenge stereotypes, address issues and action change.

There is no limit to what you can perform: Poetry, music, stories, magic. We'll give you a stage and a mic and you can choose how to use it.

How is an open mic different to a poetry slam?With open mic's, there are no strict time limits (but don't take 5eva on stage) and no judging involved. Flip The Script is a space for you to perform whatever you want to, without any rules.

What is the age limit? Performers must be under the age of 26 to sign up, but we welcome everyone of all ages to watch and support our performers.

If you have any questions, please email info@bankstownpoetryslam.com

Bankstown Poetry Slam is supported by Bankstown Youth Development Service (BYDS).

This month we are so excited to be showcasing a double feature: The most amazingly talented Zainab Z. Syed AND Eunice Andrada will be slaying at this month's slam (commence fangirling... NOW)

BPS is back for another month of slamming, finger clicking, watermelon flowing poetry fun! Please book your free ticket via the link regardless of whether you are coming to perform or just spectate!

For the awesome slammers who wish to sign up, please read the rules:- 3 minutes to perform your piece- No props or music- Poetry must be your original work- 5 Randomly selected members of the crowd will judge the performances.- No age restrictions- Semi- awesome prizes!... - Top scoring poets will have a spot in this year's Grand Slam.

Two of the Festival’s most electrifying poets go head to head in the ultimate poetry showdown. Evelyn Araluen squares off against award–winning Millefiori author and rapper Omar Musa to debate all things poetry. In three action-packed rounds, they examine whether technology is shaping poetry for the better, whether poets should tell other people’s stories, and whether schools are teaching the wrong poetry. SWF Youth Curators Sina Aghamofid, Ali Al Haj and Layla Mkhayber moderate this exciting event. There can only be one winner. You decide!

Programmed with SWF Youth Curators. Supported by the City of Parramatta and the Department of Family and Community Services

Celebrating our 5th year anniversary, BPS is back for a year of slamming, finger clicking, watermelon flowing poetry fun!

Featuring Jahra Rager from New Zealand, and BYDS' very own Kevin Ngo, you won't want to miss this birthday party.

For the awesome slammers who wish to sign up, please read the rules:- 3minutes to perform your piece, no props or music.- Poem must be your original work-5 Randomly selected members of the crowd will judge the performances.-No age restrictions- Semi- awesome prizes!- Top 4 scoring poets will still have a spot in this year's Grand Slam. -Watermelon is bae

Don't forget, Flip the Script, Western Sydney's first and only regular youth open mic is on in the same space at 5pm!

Poetry aficionado's, appreciators of Hip-Hop and literature that beats with a thunderous heart - you absolutely do not want to miss this!

and its FREE for all but please bring a gold coin donation and support us because we're poor :)

If anyone has any questions please feel free to ask away or email info@bankstownpoetryslam.com

In its third annual year, Bankstown Poetry Slam presents the Grand Slam: a fierce competition of words from Western Sydney's sharpest wordsmiths. Sydney's only team based spoken word competition will see 32 finale contenders and 8 teams battle it out for first place.

We are proud to announce that, after two successful years of hosting our finale at the Art Gallery of NSW, we have moved to a bigger venue this year, and will be hosting the Grand Slam at Sydney Town Hall!

The Grand Slam will be showcasing the passions, stories and struggles of the top four scoring poets from every monthly slam event of the Bankstown Poetry Slam.

Bring your best clicking fingers and stomping feet and revel in the energy of the Bankstown Poetry Slammers at this one night only event.

We want our youth to "flip the script" and share their many talents, challenge stereotypes, address issues and action change.

There is no limit to what you can perform: Poetry, music, stories, magic. We'll give you a stage and a mic and you can choose how to use it.

How is an open mic different to a poetry slam?With open mic's, there are no strict time limits (but don't take 5eva on stage) and no judging involved. Flip The Script is a space for you to perform whatever you want to, without any rules.

What is the age limit? Performers must be under the age of 24 to sign up, but we welcome everyone of all ages to watch and support our performers.

Get to Bankstown Arts Centre at 4:30pm and sign up for a 5 pm start!

If you have any questions, please email info@bankstownpoetryslam.com

Bankstown Poetry Slam is supported by Bankstown Youth Development Service (BYDS).

To coincide with Boundless: A festival of diverse writers, we'll be holding the October slam on the 28th.

Rules for the poets:- 3minutes to perform your piece, no props or music.- Poem must be your original work-5 Randomly selected members of the crowd will judge the performances.-No age restrictions- Semi- awesome prizes!- Top 4 scoring poets will still have a spot in this year's Grand Slam. -Watermelon is bae

Don't forget, Flip the Script, Western Sydney's first and only regular youth open mic is on in the same space at 5pm!

Poetry aficionado's, appreciators of Hip-Hop and literature that beat's with a thunderous heart you absolutely do not want to miss this!

and its FREE for all but please bring a gold coin donation and support us because we're poor :)

If anyone has any questions please feel free to ask away or email info@bankstownpoetryslam.com

Join us for this exlusive Diversity Fest event at Western Sydney University featuring a lineup of powerful female identifying artists. Entry is free and food will be available.

Enigmatic, mysterious and evocative in her lyricism and storytelling, OKENYO, emerges from the pack as a uniquely charismatic artist, part of a new generation of powerful women set to make their mark.

Founded by two WSU students in 2013, Bankstown Poetry Slam was the first regular poetry slam of Western Sydney and has gained national recognition as the largest regular slam in the country. Catch the best women from the slam take to the stage on everything from politics, love and family to religion and identity.

Our free monthly workshops are back, but with a twist! This year, we will be focusing on programming workshops that build on the previous month so that you can develop and grow as an artist. Workshops will be facilitated by BPS team members and provide you with an intimate setting in which you can build on your writing and performance skills.

Rules for the poets:- 3minutes to perform your piece, no props or music.- Poem must be your original work-5 Randomly selected members of the crowd will judge the performances.-No age restrictions- Semi- awesome prizes!- Top 4 scoring poets will still have a spot in this year's Grand Slam. -Watermelon is bae

Don't forget, Flip the Script, Western Sydney's first and only regular youth open mic is on in the same space at 5pm!

Poetry aficionado's, appreciators of Hip-Hop and literature that beat's with a thunderous heart you absolutely do not want to miss this!

and its FREE for all but please bring a gold coin donation and support us because we're poor :)

Catch our youth OPEN MIC, FLIP THE SCRIPT, on from 5pm! More details HERE.

If anyone has any questions please feel free to ask away or email info@bankstownpoetryslam.com

Bankstown Poetry Slam is assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body.The messages and ideas conveyed in individuals' poems do not necesarily represent the views or opinions of Bankstown Poetry Slam or its supporters.